DSN recently talked with COPD Foundation founder and president John Walsh about the organization's new leadership. In March, the COPD Foundation took over leadership for Drive4COPD, which aims to screen people for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a collective term for emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which the group estimates to affect 24 million Americans who may have it but don't know it.

GlaxoSmithKline on Wednesday announced that the Food and Drug Administration approved Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium), which is used for the treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.

Taken together, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema — affect nearly 50 million Americans, or about 15% of the total U.S. population, according to statistics from such organizations as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And combined, the two diseases cause more than 100,000 deaths per year. Fortunately, however, there is a wide range of treatments available for both, many of which work for both diseases.

The Food and Drug Administration has extended its regulatory review period for Novartis' new drug application for its once-daily, long-term maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, the drug maker said.

SPECIAL REPORTS

A new breed of drug-resistant head lice is driving a new wave of product solutions. DSN Senior Editor Michael Johnsen takes a deeper look at what retailers and suppliers are doing to combat "super bugs" in this special report. Read more...

IN THIS ISSUE

Drug Store News highlights parents' and suppliers' search for new solutions to the "super bug" problem; takes a closer look at retail clinics and what five top chains are doing to stand out in the space; recaps what's new and trending in the skin, sun and bath care categories; and more! Read more...